85 



the flash of blue and he exclamied^ ''Here it is !" About 

 six feet from the ground was quite a large nest built of 

 black twigs and rootlets^ and in it were five, greenish-gray 

 eggs covered with darker spots. Not a sound came from 

 the bird that had so silently disappeared. Jays are not 

 birds to needlessly advertise their homes when there is the 

 possibility that they may escape notice. 



Two days later the eggs had hatched and by Memorial 

 Day the little Jays were ready to leave their nest. After 



Fig. 74. DINNER TIME. 



having posed for their pictures they were released, except 

 one that went home with us where he stayed for the three 

 following years. A few of this bird's deeds and misdeeds 



